Sky Marshals Not Known for Their Sense of Humor

Qatari diplomat Mohammed al Modadi is a rascal. Seems like he was smoking a cig in the plane lavatory and when the marshals came to investigate, he responded "I'm lighting my shoes on fire." They responded by folding him up.

Authorities say the diplomat was wrestled to the ground and two F-16 fighter jets were dispatched to accompany the 757 on the final five minutes of its flight to Denver. Flight 663 originated from Washington Reagan airport.

A US security official said, "it may have been a massive misunderstanding" and the diplomat's statement may have been a "sarcastic" comment when he was confronted by two air marshals who had been told by flight attendants that smoke was coming from the lavatory.